25/06/2026
Consumer sentiment is near its lowest level in decades.
The Westpac–Melbourne Institute Consumer Sentiment Index declined 2.9 per cent to 80.6 in June from 83 in May.
So what should business owners do?
Not panic.
Instead, focus on four things:
1. Protect your existing customers.
Retention is almost always cheaper than acquisition.
2. Increase visibility.
The businesses that disappear from view are often forgotten first.
3. Tighten your message.
Customers become more selective during uncertain times. Make it easy for them to understand why they should choose you.
4. Measure what matters.
Focus on leads, conversations, enquiries and sales—not vanity metrics.
Economic cycles come and go.
Businesses that survive and thrive are rarely the biggest.
They're usually the clearest.
Clarity creates confidence.
Confidence creates action.
Action creates results.
